Recent Netflix Faves

Like a good American Millennial, I spend lots o’ time watching Netflix. It’s full of some wonderful offerings, after all. And, with all the awesome TV and movie options, there seems to be something for everyone.

Since I’m always on the hunt for great Netflix picks, I thought I’d share some of my recent favorite finds with y’all. Here’s what I’ve been loving lately (starting with movies and then moving into TV shows):

MOVIES:

Short Term 12: This movie is definitely not the right pick when you’re looking for a lighthearted flick, but it’s so worth watching. It stars Brie Larson (who won a well-deserved Oscar for her performance in Room) and chronicles the difficult life of a supervisor at a foster-care facility. (And you don’t have to take my word for it: Rotten Tomatoes gave this film a 99%.)

Don Verdean: This movie is about as opposite from Short Term 12 as you can get. It’s weird and hilarious and includes an amazing cast (Sam Rockwell, Jemaine Clement, Amy Ryan). Rockwell plays a biblical archaeologist who resorts to lies to keep funding his searches for artifacts. (Yep — exactly.) It got pretty abysmal reviews, but Kevin and I really enjoyed it.

People, Places, Things: I’m a sucker for anything with Jemaine Clement in it (just see the above recommendation for proof!), and so I was sold on People, Places, Things when I discovered its leading man. Luckily, it’s actually a good movie, too, about a graphic novelist trying to make sense of his life post-divorce.

Meet the Patels: This documentary was recommended to me by a friend, and I’ve seen it twice now (once in theaters and once via Netflix). It tells the story of a 20-something Indian-American guy looking for love within the context of the American dating system but also using a heavy dose of Indian matchmaking. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s sweet and funny and heartwarming, and for me was an interesting glimpse into this system I knew very little about.

TV SHOWS:

Chef’s Table: This stunningly beautiful six-episode series showcases the individual stories of groundbreaking chefs across the globe. The Patagonia-based chef who uses fire in dramatic ways has to be my favorite.

Call the Midwife: I’m currently on Season Two of this BBC series — which chronicles the lives of midwives in a rough part of London in the late 1950s — and am totally hooked.

Cooked: Yes, I’m a sucker for food-related TV shows, so it’s no surprise I’m also resoundingly on board with this thoughtful Michael Pollan series.

Nurse Jackie: I’d heard about this show for years, and now I see what all the fuss was about. Edie Falco shines as the lovable but so incredibly flawed main character in this well-written series about a nurse hooked on pain killers.